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Also please visit our website to view a specific Artist's work, to check our Events and Exhibit Calendar, or to make an inquiry about art. We provide free home shows for local residents. For further information please contact us or call 858-551-8108 for more details.

Abay was born into a culture in which girls are circumcised before age 12.When it came time for her circumcision ceremony, Abay said, “No.” Her mother insisted: An uncircumcised woman would be ostracized and could never marry, Abay was told. When her mother’s demands became unbearable, she ran away to live with a sympathetic godfather. Eight years later, Abay returned to her village and began work as a station agent for CARE, supervising the opening of a primary school and a health clinic and the construction of a well. After five years, she finally convinced one of the women to let her film a circumcision ceremony. She showed the film to the male leaders. They had never seen a female circumcision and were horrified. Two weeks later, the male leaders called a special meeting and voted fifteen to two to end female circumcision in their village.

These beautiful black and white fine art photography of people portrait of indigenous cultures are the trademark of humanitarian photographer Phil Borges. All collections of Phil Borges' work are available at Hallmark Fine Art Gallery located in San Diego's La Jolla Cove. Gallery also has Phil Borges' award-winning photography books Tibetan Portrait, Enduring Spirit, and Women Empowered. Call 858-551-8108 for more information.